Crucial Decision in Taganrog Criminal Case Expected Soon

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The retrial of 16 of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Taganrog, Russia, that began in January 2015 has continued into its sixth month. The Witnesses face imprisonment and fines simply for practicing their faith.

Their criminal trial began on May 13, 2013, after they were indicted on criminal charges for alleged extremist activities. The trial court fined seven of the Witnesses and sentenced four of them to lengthy prison terms, but the judge suspended the sentences. On December 12, 2014, the appellate court ordered a retrial at the request of the prosecutor. Jehovah’s Witnesses expect the new judgment by the end of June.